When my colleague Laurence came back from a meeting
and mumbled something about floating in a tank, I didn’t pay
that much attention – after all, we get a lot of strange perks in
our jobs.
However, when I met with Camille
Pierson, at The Float Spa in Hove a
place she set up and owns, my interest
was most definitely piqued. Situated in a
sprawling basement on Third Avenue, the
spa is a haven of calm.
She explained the benefits of floating in
some detail: Floatation is a practice where
you float effortlessly in a special pod of
Epsom Salt water. Without the constant
noise of analysing the world around you,
your body lowers its levels of cortisol
(which is the main chemical component of
stress). Your brain releases elevated levels
of dopamine and endorphins.
Your muscles, joints, and bones take a
20
well-deserved break. Your mind becomes
still and your body suddenly has loads of
extra resources, which allows it to focus
on things like healing and resting – the
stress simply floats away. The spine
lengthens an inch, chronic pain is relieved,
and your muscles are allowed to fully
recover. Unlike lying on a mattress, lying
in water allows blood to flow freely all
throughout your body.
Camille’s enthusiasm for floating is
infectious, so when she offered me a trial
a few days later, I jumped at the chance.
On the day of my float, I was met by
Helen Johnson, who is equally as
enthusiastic about floating and after being
treated to a cold glass of cucumber water,
I was talked through everything I might
need to know – and more – about my
impending experience.
Next it was to the room where my
pod was and again, I received a full
explanation from Helen about what to do
and what to expect. You have the option
to wear ear plugs and must take a shower
before removing all your clothes and
getting into the pod, which are the biggest
available on the market. The lid to the pod
is easy to pull down and push open, there
is a panic button and the option to have
lighting (a bit like the Northern Lights) or to
be in total darkness.
You have complete privacy and can
choose whether to lock the door to the
room the pod is in or not but you need to
bear in mind that if you do and you press
the panic button, you’ll need to be able to
get out of the pod to unlock the door.
Helen explained to me that sensors at
the reception desk would alert her to